build up

build  (bld)

v. built (blt), build·ing, builds

v.tr.

1. To form by combining materials or parts; construct.

2. To order, finance, or supervise the construction of: The administration built several new housing projects.

3. To develop or give form to according to a plan or process; create: build a nation; built a successful business out of their corner grocery store.

4. To increase or strengthen by adding gradually to: money building interest in a savings account; build support for a political candidate.

5. To establish a basis for; found or ground: build an argument on fact.

v.intr.

1. To make something by combining materials or parts.

2. To engage in the construction or design of buildings: "Each of the three architects built in a different style" Dwight Macdonald.

3. To develop in magnitude or extent: clouds building on the horizon.

4. To progress toward a maximum, as of intensity: suspense building from the opening scene to the climax.

n.

1. The physical makeup of a person or thing; physique: an athletic build.

2. Computer Science Any of various versions of a software product as it is being developed for release to users.

Phrasal Verbs:

build in/into

To construct or include as an integral part of: a wall with shelving that was built in; build stability into the economy.

build on/upon

To use as a basis or foundation: We must build on our recent success.

build up

1. To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon.

2. To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.

3. To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview.

4. To fill up (an area) with buildings.

Idiom:

build on sand

To provide with an unstable foundation: Having bought only high-risk stocks, my portfolio was built on sand.

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[Middle English bilden, from Old English byldan; see bheu- in Indo-European roots.]

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build up

Verb

1. to construct (something) gradually, systematically, and in stages

2. to increase by degrees: he steadily built up a power base

3. to prepare for or gradually approach a climax

Noun

build-up

1. a progressive increase in number or size: the build-up of industry

2. a gradual approach to a climax

3. extravagant publicity or praise, esp. as a campaign

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	build up - enlarge, develop, or increase by degrees or in stages; "build up your savings" increase - make bigger or more; "The boss finally increased her salary"; "The university increased the number of students it admitted"
	2.	build up - form or accumulate steadily; "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border" work up, build, progress build - develop and grow; "Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera" develop - grow, progress, unfold, or evolve through a process of evolution, natural growth, differentiation, or a conducive environment; "A flower developed on the branch"; "The country developed into a mighty superpower"; "The embryo develops into a fetus"; "This situation has developed over a long time" ramp up, work up, build up, build - bolster or strengthen; "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports"
	3.	build up - prepare oneself for a military confrontation; "The U.S. is girding for a conflict in the Middle East"; "troops are building up on the Iraqi border" arm, gird, fortify re-arm, rearm - arm anew; "After the war, the defeated country was not allowed to rearm" forearm - arm in advance of a confrontation
	4.	build up - bolster or strengthen; "We worked up courage"; "build up confidence"; "ramp up security in the airports" ramp up, work up, build increase - make bigger or more; "The boss finally increased her salary"; "The university increased the number of students it admitted" work up, build, build up, progress - form or accumulate steadily; "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border"
	5.	build up - change the use of and make available or usable; "develop land"; "The country developed its natural resources"; "The remote areas of the country were gradually built up" develop redevelop - change the plans for the use of (land) ameliorate, improve, meliorate, amend, better - to make better; "The editor improved the manuscript with his changes" make grow, develop - cause to grow and differentiate in ways conforming to its natural development; "The perfect climate here develops the grain"; "He developed a new kind of apple" modernise, modernize, develop - become technologically advanced; "Many countries in Asia are now developing at a very fast pace"; "Viet Nam is modernizing rapidly" settle - establish or develop as a residence; "He settled the farm 200 years ago"; "This land was settled by Germans" train, educate, prepare, develop - create by training and teaching; "The old master is training world-class violinists"; "we develop the leaders for the future" develop - generate gradually; "We must develop more potential customers"; "develop a market for the new mobile phone"